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Michael Jackson will be buried Aug. 29 at Forest Lawn in Glendale, family confirms [Updated]

August 18, 2009 | 8:38
am

Michael Jackson's family confirmed this morning that the pop star will be buried Aug. 29 at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale.

In statements to various media outlets, a family spokesman said the ceremony would be private and would take place at the sprawling cemetery's Holy Terrace section.

The announcement comes a day after Joe Jackson told the New York Daily News about the burial plans on what would be the pop singer's 51st birthday. Joe Jackson said the burial plans were finalized in the last few days.

Plans for the burial have been the subject of much debate for weeks. Some family members said they wanted Jackson buried at Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County. Joe Jackson said he favored having the pop star laid to rest in Las Vegas as part of a new venue honoring him.

There was a private memorial service for Jackson at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills last month, followed by a public service at Staples Center.

As of Monday, Los Angeles police sources said they had not received official confirmation of any burial plans.

[Updated at 9:07 a.m.: The complete statement from the Jackson family:

Michael Jackson will be laid to rest at Holly Terrace in the Great Mausoleum at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 10:00 AM PST, on what would have been his 51st birthday.The private ceremony will be limited to family and close friends. There will be accommodations for the media nearby.

The Jackson family once again wishes to express its gratitude to Michael's fans around the world for their support during these difficult times.]

-- Maria Elena Fernandez and Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Michael Jackson will be laid to rest at Holly Terrace in the Grand Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale. Credit: Francine Orr /Los Angeles Times